Earth excavating device



Junell, 1968 I... E. HAYNES EARTH EXCAVATING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 2, 1965 INVENTOR. law's 6-. HA r/vas June 11, 1968 L. E. HAYNES 3,387,890

' EARTH EXCAVATING DEVICE Filed Aug. 2, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1-:

INVENTOR. Louis E; HAYA/f-S A 7' 7' OQNE-YS nnnrn This invention relates to a machine for slicing through and removing large quantities of dirt, surface vegetation, paving materials or other substances of varying consistencies which may be disposed at the surface of the earth. More particularly, the present invention relates to an earth excavating apparatus employing reciprocating blades which drive forward into the earth along a certain horizontal level in out-of-phase sequence with respect to each other, and which apparatus functions to move large quantities of earth or other material removed by the blades toward the rear of the apparatus.

A number of devices have heretofore been proposed for cutting through and removing large quantities of earth from the surface of the ground in a rapid and efiicient manner. Many of these devices present a problem in excavating to a substantial depth in the earth because of the resistance afforded to forward movement of the machine as earth which has been severed by the cutting blades accumulates and obstructs the path of the machine. Problems have also been encountered in affording a durable and well-lubricated drive system for driving the cutting blades through relatively rugged and ditficult penetrable terrain and vegetation.

The present invention provides an improved and versatile earth excavating apparatus in which all of the drive mechanism and substantially the entire transmission assembly of the excavating mechanism are enclosed within a plurality of scaled housings so that the mechanisms can be immersed in lubricant at all times during operation of the device. The low profile of the reciprocating blades used in the device permits the dirt to move easily from the front of the excavating apparatus to the rear thereof so that no substantial obstruction or difficulty is encountered as the apparatus moves forward through the earth. Ample space is provided at the rear of the device for permitting a chemical fertilizer, insecticide or herbicide to be injected or laid down under the earth which is moved across the top of the reciprocating blade structures and is deposited on the ground to the rear of the excavating device as it moves forward.

Broadly described, the earth excavating apparatus of the invention comprises a framework having a pair of upstanding spaced sine walls; a transmission housing extending between the side walls and including a relatively flat upper wall; a plurality of vertically extending partitions dividing the transmission housing into a plurality of horizontally spaced compartments; a crankshaft extending through the transmission housing between the side walls of the fra ework and having an eccentric throw located in each of said compartments; blade supporting shafts ext ding substantially normal to the cranksi tit and positioned therebclow; the blade supporting suafts extending slidii through bearings disposed in the sides of said transmi housing and having a pair of end portions located or. side of the transmission housing, at least one of said supporting shafts being located in each of st? compartments; cutter blades corresponding in num'ne to the number of said compartments and attached to at least one of the supporting shafts extending through each ofsaid compartments and means for drivirg said crankshaft in rotation whereby said cutter blades are reciprocated in a di ection genera ly pTrallel to the side walls of said framework. in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the framework is provided with suitable hitch connections to facilitate connecting the ie ttes Patent 0 "ice earth excavating device to a three-point hitch arrangement on a tractor or similar vehicle, and a power shaft is provided in association with the framework for connecting the transmission system, and ultimately the crankshaft, or" the earth excavating device, to the power takeoff of the tractor.

A major object of the present invention is to provide an earth excavating apparatus which can remove large quantities of earth, or materials used for surfacing earth, such as asphalt and the like, move such materials to the trailing side of the apparatus and redeposit the material upon the ground in a relatively undisturbed state, or, alternately, permit the removed earth to be conveyed to a location suitable for disposal.

Another object of the invention is to provide earth excavatin apparatus in which the apparatus may be connected to a tractor or other self-propelled vehicle and powered by a prime mover located on the tractor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an earth excavating apparatus which uses blades reciprocated out of phase with each 0th r, and which includes a transmission system completely enclosed and constantly immersed in a lubricant.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an earth excavating apparatus having reciprocating, low profile blade structures so that the earth removed by the apparatus can move easily over the blade structures with a minimum of disturbance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved earth excavating apparatus which is ruggedly constructed and is characterized in having a long and trouble-free operating life.

In addition to the foregoing described objects and advantages, additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following detailed description of the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention.

in the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the earth excavating apparatus of the invention.

FZGURE is a vertical sectional view taken through the earth excavating apparatus of the invention as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the earth excavating apparatus taken along line 33 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4i of Pi-(SURE 2.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly, to FIGURE 1, the earth excavating apparatus of the invention comprises a framework ill which includes a pair of upstanding sides 12. A rigid, horizontally ex tending bar 14 extends between and interconnects the sides 12 and carries a central hitch bracket 16 utilized to connect the framework 10 to one of the points of connection in a threepoint hitch connection on a tractor vehicle (not shown). Each of the sides 12 also carries another hitch bracket E7 to facilitate connecting the framework 16 to the tractor.

Extending horizontally between the sides 12 of the framework it) adjacent the lower edges of the sides 12 is a trapczoidally cross-sectioned transmission housing 1%. The transmission housing 14 is welded or otherwise suitably secured a fiuidtight manner at its ends to the sides F12 of the frame ill and includes a front or leading wall so, a top side 18 and a rear or trailing wall 29. The transmission housing 14 also includes a bottom Wall which extends between tle front wall 16 and rear wall and completes the closure of the transmission housing. A plurality of relatively thin, lOngitudinally extending, parallel partitions 2d are provided within the transmission housing 14 and extend parallel to the sides 12 between the front wall 15 and back wall 2'3 of the transmission housing 14. The longitudinal partitions 2d function to divide the transmission housing 14 into a pluraiity of contiguous but isolated fluid-tight compartments A, B, C and D for the purpose of con.- taining a lubricant as more fully hereinafter described.

A plurality of generally trapezoidally shaped blade structures are each designated by reference character 31') and are positioned over the transmission housing 14 in the manner best illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 4. The blade structures 39 correspond in number to the number of compartments A, B, C and D and each include a top 52, a forward cutting side 34 and a trailing side 36. A hing d leveling flap 33 is attached to the horizontal lower edge of the trailing side 36 by a suitable hinge structure 49. In referring to FIGURE 2, it will be noted that the forward cutting side 34 of each of the blade structures 35) is tapered or beveled to a cutting edge 42 to permit the blade to slice through the soil as it is reciprocated in the manner hereinafter described.

The relationship of the top 32 of each of the blade structures to the top side 18 of the transmission housing 14 is best illustrated in FIGURE 4. In referring to this crosssectional view, it will be noted that the top 32 of the blade structure 39 actually rides above and out of contact with the top side 18 of the transmission housing 14, and that the top 32 of each of the blade structures bears against, and guides in, a pair of undercut buide bars designated by reference character 46. The undercut guide bars 46 are bolted to the top side 18 of the transmission housing 14 by bolts 47 in a position to cooperate with correspondingly shaped grooves or channels 43 formed in the top 32 of each blade structure 39. A plurality of countersunk screws or bolts 54} are provided to close threaded openings in the top 32 of the blade structure 38, and may be removed to permit access to be had through these openings to the bolts 47 used to secure the guide bars 46 to the top side 18 of the transmission housing 14. In this way, the blade structures may be lifted away from the transmission housing and removed from the machine when desired.

The manner in which the blade structures 30 are each mounted for reciprocating movement on the transmission housing 14 is best illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3. The blade structures 30 are each supported on a pair of elongated support rods 60 which are both extended through one of the compartments A, B, C or D formed by the longitudinal partitions 24 in the transmission housing 14. The elongated support rods 6% pass through bearing blocks 62 which are secured between the rear wall and the bottom wall 22 of the transmission housing. Also, it will be noted, in referring to FIGURE 3, that each of the bearing blocks 62 is also secured either to one of the sides 12 of the framework It or to one of the longitudinal partitions 24. The elongated supporting rods 60 also pass through bearing blocks 64 disposed at the front of the transmission housing 14 and secured between the front wall 16 and the bottom wall 22. Each of the bearing blocks 64 is also secured either to one of the side Walls 12 or to one of the partitions 24. The forward end of each support rod 60 is attached through a connecting bracket 66 to one of the forward cutting sides 34 of one of the blade structures 30. The rear end of each rod 69 is attached through a bracket 68 to the trailing side 36 of the corresponding blade structure 30.

The transmission system which. is utilized to drive the blade structures in reciprocation during operation of the apparatus of the invention includes a power input shaft 7%) having a coupling bracket 72 on the forward end thereof, and being rotatably journaled in, and extending through, a protective sleeve 74 secured to the side 12 of the framework. A gear box 76 encloses suitable gearing for driving an intermediate shaft 78 which gear wheel 89. Thus, a lubricating fiuid contained within 1 the compartment A will not be lost by leakage around the gear Wheel 80.

The bevel gear 84 is secured to one end of an elongated crankshaft 3% which extends completely across the transmission housing 14. The crankshaft 83 is journaled in a bearing block secured to the side 12 opposite the side of the framework which has the opening 82 formed therein. The crankshaft 88 is also secured in a plurality of journal blocks 92 carried by the several longitudinal partitions 24. As will be noted in referring to FIGURE 3, the crankshaft 88 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, radially offset throws 94 which are staggered in their circumferential position around the crankshaft 83.

A plurality of connecting rods 96 are utilized to conmeet the crankshaft 88 to the supporting rods 60 which are connected to each of the blade structures 30. Each connecting rod is connected at one of its ends 98 through a suitable bearing to one of the throws 94 of the crankshaft 83 and at its other end to a crank pin 1% which is in turn connected to a clevis bracket 162. The clcvis bracket 102 is shaped to permit the forward or leading portion of the bracket to pass between adjacent bearing blocks 64- and thus permit connecting rods 96 of greater length to be utilized. Each of the clcvis brackets 102 has a pair of laterally extending arms which are secured to the adjacent pairs of supporting rods 66 in each of compartments A, B, C and D, as best illustrated in FIGURE 3.

Operation To prepare the earth excavating apparatus of the in: vention for operation, each of the compartments A, B,

C and D is initially filled with a lubricant so as to immerse the moving parts of the transmission located in universal joint connection to the power takeoff of the:

tractor vehicle.

As the tractor vehicle then moves along the ground, the three-point hitch, connection can be adjusted to cause the cutting edges 42 of the blade structure 30 to bite into the earth and move downwardly until a selected depth is reached. Simultaneously, the power takeoff from the tractor vehicle is actuated to drive the power input shaft 70 in rotation. This causes the crankshaft 88 to be rotated with the result that each of the blade structures 30 is driven in reciprocation by the connecting rods 96. The movement of the connecting rods 96 causes the supporting rods 69 to reciprocate through the bearing blocks 62 and 64- journaling these rods. The arrangement of the throws 94 on the crankshaft 88 causes the blade structures 39 to be reciprocated out of phase with each other and thus enhances the cutting action of the excavating apparatus.

As the blade structures 30 biteinto the earth, earth is removed and passes rearwardly in the framework 10 over the tops 52 of the blade structures 30. No opportunity is presented for any of the removed earth to enter the transmission housing 14 and thus foul or contaminate moving parts of the transmission. As the earth passes the rear of the framework 10, it gravitates down the trailing side 36 of the reciprocating blade structures 30. The hinged leveling plate 38 carries the removed earth smoothly to a position on top of the new earthen surface formed by the blade structures 30 as they cut through the earth. A chemical, such as an insecticide, herbicide or fertilizer, can easily be injected beneath the earth which has been removed by the blade structures 3% as this earth is returned to the surface of the ground by positioning a perforated chemical distribution pipe or similar structure beneath the hinged leveling flap 38 or beneath the rear sides 36 of the several blade structures 30.

From the foregoing description of the invention, it will be apparent that a mechanically sturdy structure has been provided which can rapidly excavate large quantities of earth, or surfacing materials, such as asphalt, and, if desired, return this excavated material in a relatively undisturbed state to the surface of the earth after a chemical material has been injected therebeneath. The moving parts of the transmission system are well protected from contamination by earth and dust, and a sealed or closed system is provided to assure that the moving parts of the transmission are constantly immersed in a lubricant.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been herein described in detail, the precise depicted arrangement of the several structural elements with respect to each other, and the inclusion of each and every one of the elements, are not essential to the utilization of the basic principles upon which the invention is based, nor to the obtainment of the benefits derived from the use of such principles. Therefore, minor modifications and innovations in the structure of the apparatus which do not involve a relinquishment of the basic principles herein enunciated are deemed to be circumscribed by the spirit and scope of the invention except as necessarily limited by the appended claims or reasonable equivalents thereof.

1 claim:

ll. Earth excavating apparatus comprising:

(a) a framework having a pair of upstanding side walls and having a forward side and a rear side;

(b) a closed transmission housing extending between the side walls of the framework;

(c) a plurality of blade structures each including a forward cutting side positioned ahead of said transmission housing;

a trailing side positioned to the rear of said transmission housing; and

a top extending over said transmission housing and interconnecting said forward and trailing sides of said blade structure;

(d) power transmission means in said transmission housing;

(e) bearing means in said transmission housing;

(f) rod means interconnecting said power transmission means with said blade structures and extending through said bearing means in said transmission housing;

(g) means on said framework for drivingly connecting said power transmission means to the power takeoff of a tractor.

2. Earth excavating apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said closed transmission housing is of trapezoidal cross-section and includes a top side, a front side, a rear side and a bottom side, each of said. sides extending from one of the side walls of the framework to the o or side Wall of the framework.

3. Earth excavating apparatus as defined in claim 1 herein said power transmission means includes an elongated crankshaft having its opposite ends adjacent the side walls of said framework and iaving a plurality of radially offset, eccentric throws spaced therealong.

4. Earth excavating apparatus as defined in claim 3 and further characterized to include a plurality of spaced partitions extending parallel to the side walls of said framework inside said transmission housing and dividing said transmission housing into a plurality of contiguous compartments corresponding in number to the number of said blade structures and each containing at least one of said eccentric throws.

5. Earth excavating apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said power transmission means includes a push rod extending from at least one of the throws in each of said compartments to one of said blade structures.

6. Earth excavating apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said rod means includes at least one elongated, generally horizontal supporting rod connected at its opposite ends to the forward cutting side and to the trailing side of each of said blade structures and extending through said bearings in the transmission housing, said supporting rods each being connected inside said transmission housing to one of said push rods.

7. Earth excavating apparatus comprising:

(a) a framework;

(:b) a closed transmission housing on said framework and having a top side, front side and rear side;

(c) a crankshaft rotatably mounted in said transmission housing for rotation about a horizontally extending axis;

(d) a plurality of blade structures protectively covering said closed transmission housing by each extending across the top side of said closed transmission housing and ahead of the front side of said transmission housing, said blade structures each being reciprocably mounted on said closed transmission housing for reciprocation in a horizontal direction;

(e) rod means interconnecting each of said blade structures with said crankshaft for reciprocation of said blade structures in out-of-phase relation to each other; and

(f) means on said framework for drivingly connecting said crankshaft to the power takeoff of a tractor.

8. Earth excavating apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means on said framework for drivingly connecting said crankshaft to the power takeoif of a tractor comprises:

(a) a power input shaft mounted on said framework and adapted for attachment to said tractor power takeoff; and

(b) an intermediate shaft interconnecting said power iinput shaft with said crankshaft.

9. Earth excavating apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said closed transmission housing further includes a bottom side interconnecting the front and rear sides of said transmission housing, and said framework includes two spaced, parallel side walls secured by a fluid-tight connection to the opposite ends of the top side, front side, rear side and bottom side of said transmission housing.

Earth excavating apparatus as claimed in claim 9 and further characterized to include sealed bearings in the walls of said transmission housing slidably receiving said rod means.

11. Earth excavating apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said blade structure includes:

a forward cutting side;

a trailing side;

a top extending over said transmission housing parallel to the top side thereof; and

a leveling plate hinged to said trailing side and depend ing downwardly therefrom.

12. Earth excavating apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said blade structures and said transmission housing are each generally trapezoidal in cross-sectional configuration.

13. Earth excavating apparatus comprising:

(a) a framework having a pair of upstanding side walls and having a forward side and a rear side;

(b) a transmission housing extending between the side walls of the framework and having a top side, front side and rear side;

(0) a crankshaft extending between the side walls of said framework and disposed beneath the top side of said transmission housing;

7 (d) a plurality of blade structures each including a forward cutting side positioned aiead of said transmission housing; a trailing side positioned to the rear of said transmission housing; and a top extending over said transmission housing and interconnecting the forward and trailing sides of the respective blade structure;

(e) push rods interconnecting said crankshaft with said blade structures; and

(f) means on said framework for drivingly connecting said crankshaft to the power takeoff of a tractor.

14. Earth excavating apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said apparatus more specifically includes:

at least one push rod for each of said blade structures,

said push rods each having one of their ends connected to said crankshaft; and

a clevis bracket connected to each of said push rods at the end thereof opposite the end connected to said crankshaft and connected to each of said blade structures.

15. Earth excavating apparatus as claimed in claim 14 and further characterized to include elongated support rods exending through hearings in said transmission housing and each connected at its opposite ends to the forward side and trailing side of one of said blade structures.

16. Earth excavating apparatus comprising:

(a) a framework having a pair of opposed, parallel upstanding side walls;

(b) a plurality of pairs of parallel, horizontal supporting rods disposed in said framework and extending parallel to said upstanding side walls;

(c) means slidingly mounting said supporting rods on said framework for reciprocation in a direction parallel to said upstanding side walls;

(d) an elongated blade structure secured to each pair of supporting rods, each blade structure including a forward cutting side connected to one pair of ends of the respective pair of supporting rods;

a trailing side connected to the other pair of ends of their respective pair of supporting rods;

a top interconnecting said forward cutting side and said trailing side of each of said blade structures;

(e) power transmission means mounted between the opposed, parallel upstanding side walls of said framework and under the tops of said elongated blade structures;

(f) push rods interconnecting said power transmission means with said supporting rods for reciprocating said supporting rods and the blade structures connected thereto; and

(g) means on said framework for drivingly connect ing said power transmission means to the power takeoff of a tractor.

17. Earth excavating apparatus as defined in claim 16 and further characterized to include a closed transmission housing enclosing said power transmission means.

1.3. Earth excavating apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said power transmission means comprises an elongated crankshaft having a plurality of radially offset,

circumfercntially staggered throws spaced longitudinally therealong, each of said throws being connected to one end of one of said push rods.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,979,554 11/1934 Huntington 29937 2,614,476 10/1952 Jennings. 3,219,388 11/1965 Haynes 29937 ERNEST R. PURSER, Primary Examiner. 

1. EARTH EXCAVATING APPARATUS COMPRISING: (A) A FRAMEWORK HAVING A PAIR OF UPSTANDING SIDE WALLS AND HAVING A FORWARD SIDE AND A REAR SIDE; (B) A CLOSED TRANSMISSION HOUSING EXTENDING BETWEEN THE SIDE WALLS OF THE FRAMEWORK; (C) A PLURALITY OF BLADE STRUCTURES EACH INCLUDING A FORWARD CUTTING SIDE POSITIONED AHEAD OF SAID TRANSMISSION HOUSING; A TRAILING SIDE POSITIONED TO THE REAR OF SAID TRANSMISSION HOUSING; AND A TOP EXTENDING OVER SAID TRANSMISSION HOUSING AND INTERCONNECTING SAID FORWARD AND TRAILING SIDES OF SAID BLADE STRUCTURE; (D) POWER TRANSMISSION MEANS IN SAID TRANSMISSION HOUSING; (E) BEARING MEANS IN SAID TRANSMISSION HOUSING; (F) ROD MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID POWER TRANSMISSION MEANS WITH SAID BLADE STRUCTURES AND EXTENDING THROUGH SAID BEARING MEANS IN SAID TRANSMISSION HOUSING; AND (G) MEANS ON SAID FRAMEWORK FOR DRIVINGLY CONNECTING SAID POWER TRANSMISSION MEANS TO THE POWER TAKEOFF OF A TRACTOR. 